Stream-line sounding lead



CrH. FITZPATRICK.

SIREAM LINE SOUNDING LEAD.

APPLlCATlON FILED DECI31I I9I9- Patented Mar. 28,1922.

INVENTOR M J W W M 5 z y a W 5 M W Y m p 7 f 5 i I .7 M? 1, 2

ATTORNEY water, and has for stares CHARLES H. FITZPATRICK, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

PATENT. OFFICE STREAM-LINE sounnmo LEAD.

Application filed December 31, 1919. Serial No. 3=8,570.

To all in] out it may concern e it known that I, CHARLES FITZ- rxrmon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stream-Line Sounding Leads, of which. the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to sounding leads for measuring the depth of bodies of an object to provide a device of this kind which isso designed as to facilitate its passage through the water and to insureits penetration to thebottom. 7 Another object of the inventionis to provide a device of the character above set forth embodying means which is self-registering for indicating the depth to which the device has reached.

In addition to the foregoing this invention comprehends improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings in which similar and corresponding parts are designated by the same characters of reference throughout the several views in which they appear, t

Figure 1. is a view in side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2. is a detail view in section of one end. thereof.

With reference to the drawing 10' indicates generally the body of the device which is bulbous at one end as indicated at 11 and somewhat semi-ovoid, with the opposite end extended and tapered very gradually and formed at said tapered end with a reduced extension 12 having integrally formed therewith a plurality of vanes 13. The extension 12 is preferably formed separately from the body portion and connected thereto by means of the threaded connection 14. The interior of the body 10, which may be hollow and formed of brass, may be formed with lead or other similar heavy substance. The end of the section is also preferably formed with an eye 15 in which a cord may be secured. As stated, the extension 12 is hollow and formed with a longitudinal slot 16 at one side through which a hollow tube 17 of glass may be viewed, the latter being enclosed within the extension 12 and having its of thetube 17 as shown;

inner end enlarged as at 18 and fitted within a flanged sleeve 19. The latter is internally threaded to receiveone end of a valve casing 20, the opposite end thereof being threaded to rece' forated. A valve case 22 is formed within the casing and a conical valve 23 is fitted therein having eXtens-ions24 and 25 at opposite end serving to guide the valve. A coil spring 26 surrounds the stem 24 to normally urge the valve againstthe seat. Communication is established between the interior of the valve casing 20 and the interior Communication between the interiorof the which the mechanism just described is located, and the exterior is provided by means of theperf0ra-tion'27. A plunger 28 is slidably fitted within a recess 29 formed in the body member '10 and the inner end of the plunger is cut at anangle. A rod 30 slidve' the cap 21 which is perextension 12 in ably mounted in thebody 1O bearsiat one i end against the inside portion of the plunger 28 while its opposite end bears against a spring lead 31 secured to the body portion. i

In use the device is plunged into the water and permitted to sinkby gravityto the bottom. the configuration thereof facilitat: ing its passage through the water andproviding astream line'efi'ect. It will be ohvious that the pressure of the depth to which the device has sunk will force water through I the aperture 27 and through the apertured cap 21 Within the valve casing 20 whereupon the valve 23 is lifted from its seat permitting the water to effect an entrance into the tube 17. The air within the tube will be compressed and the water will rise within the tube to a point corresponding to the depth to which the device has sunk. One of the vanes 13 may be graduated to indicate by direct reading the depth. It will be apparent that when the device is lifted and the pressure decreases the valve 23 is forced upon its seat trapping the water within the tube 17 and rendering the device self-indicating when it reaches the surface. I also provide a recess 32 in the lower end of the device in which a piece of soap or other material may be inserted to collect a sample of the sediment. While the lead is either descending or ascending it will be apparent that the function of the vanes 13 will be to lessen the tendency of the lead to revolve about its longitudinal axis and the vanes will as possible.

terations therein may be made.

also prevent to some extentanf ping 0r sidewise motion of the lead, ens travel of the lead in a verricariine'a-samueh After the reading has been taken the water trapped within the tube 17 may be released or permitted to flow from the tube by pressing "in the leaf 31. The leaf pressing against the rod 30 will urge the same inward and the end of the rod hearing against the beveled end of the plunger 28 will'cause the same to rise and engage the stem 2 L thus lifting the valve 23. 1

While I have illustrated-and described my invention with some degree-of particularity I realize that in practice various al- I therefore reserve the right and privilege of changing the form of the details of construction or otherwise altering the arrangement of the correlated parts. without departing from the V spirit of the invention or .thescope of the appendedclaims;

Having thus described my invention,

What I claim as'iiew and desire to secure by United'States Letters Patent is 1. A sounding vle'adcomprising a body portion having asemi-ovoid. end and having its other end gradually tapering, and a plurality of vanes formed upon its tapered end. "1 2. A sounding lead comprising a-weightedportion, a tubular member, 'saidweighted portion having a passage leading to the tubular member, avalve controlling said pa'ssage, a spring retaining the valve in seated position, a slidable plunger adapted toengage'the" end of the valve to unseat the same, said plunger having one end beveled, a; rod operating in the Weighted member at right'angles to'the' direction of movement of the plunger, and a spring leaf secured to' the 'thea'od, whereby when the iig the 1 pushed motlon is communicated through the weighted member and engaging one end of spring leaf is rod to'the plunger to unseat the valve.

A sounding lead comprising a weighted member having one end threaded, a cap threadedly engaged on said end and having a tubular extension, a glass tube within said tubular extension, a sleeve surrounding one end of said glass tube, a valve casing threadedly engaged in said sleeve and engaging the end of-the tubular member, said valve casing having a passage therethrough formed with a valve casing, a valvejnember having a stem at each end, a spring surrounding one stein urging the valve to its seat, an apertured cap secured to the opposite end of the valve casing and having anopening through which the other stem pro3ects,and means for engaging the last mentioned stem to unseat the valve; i I

A sounding lead comprising a weighted member having a tubular extension, said tubular extension being dinal slots, a glass tube within said tubular extension, said weight member having a passage leading into the end-of the tube, 'a

spring pressed valve controlling said pasplurality ofvanesformed -111t--- and grally with said tubular extensionone vane being located opposite, the longitudinal slot and provided with a plurality of graduations., y

In testimony whereof'laflix my signature in'presence of two witnessesxq CHARLES H. FITZPATRICK.

VVitnessesz' Josnrrr WRAY BARKLEY, PAUL'S'ronE.

formed with longitu- 

